Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams, Khadra Mohammed & illustrated by Doug Chayka
Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2007
Fiction (Children's); 32 pgs
Mouse picked out Four Feet, Two Sandals as one of her Library Summer Reading Program books. She had quite a few questions as we read about the refugee life. Although we had read another refugee-related book several months ago, this one touched more on the camp-life experience whereas the other one was more about the journey to find a new home.
In Four Feet, Two Sandals, clothes are being delivered to the refugees at the camp and ten year old Lina finds a sandal. She notices another girl, Feroza, has the other sandal. The girls decide to share the sandals, one wearing the pair one day and switching off the other. One day, Lina finds out she and her family have been approved to move to America. As she and her friend were saying goodbye, Mouse began crying. She was sad the two friends were separating and was afraid they might never see each other again.
This made a great book for discussing both having to say goodbye and also the refugee experience. We both really liked Four Feet, Two Sandals. Mouse because it was a story about friendship and sharing, and me because it introduced Mouse to another culture and life she is not familiar with in a way that she would be able to relate to and understand.
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This sounds beautiful -- and heartbreaking too.
ReplyDeleteVerushka - It is! I hadn't heard of this book before, but am so glad we found it at the library.
DeleteA good way to encourage understanding and empathy!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - I think so too. I've been really happy with the hidden gems of books Mouse and I have been finding at our library.
DeleteI love that this book touched Mouse so much! It sounds fabulous!
ReplyDeleteKathy - Me too. I was afraid at first she might get bored with it as she has lately with some of the other books we've read, but not this one. She was truly interested and curious about it.
DeleteAwwwww.....what a BEAUTIFUL, TOUCHING story!! This is indeed a GREAT book for Mouse, and I'm happy she picked it out! As you have stated, it's not only valuable in terms of learning about friendship and sharing, but also about an unfamiliar culture, as well. AND it's also valuable because of the refugee experience.
ReplyDeleteMouse is SO lucky to have parents who are willing to enrich her reading experience with books like these!
Thanks for sharing!! HUGS TO YOU AND MOUSE!!! <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)
Maria - This was a really good find, I think. We read another book, which I'll be reviewing in late September that she wasn't as taken with--in fact, it scared her. This one was much more accessible to her, I think, and the artwork and story were perfect for opening the door for a good discussion.
DeleteThank you for your kind words, Maria.
P.S. And I LOVE the illustrations!! They're BEAUTIFUL!! <3 :)
ReplyDeleteMaria - I agree!
DeleteThis sounds like a good book for kids to learn about refugees and what they go through.
ReplyDeleteEllen - I think so. It is told in a very accessible way, I think, and touches on themes young children can easily understand and relate to.
DeleteMouse finds such great books. This sounds like such a wonderful book and the illustrations are lovely. I will have to keep this one in mind when I buy gifts for my 3 year old niece and nephew.
ReplyDeleteCarole - She does find some good ones. At least when she's not star-struck and wants everything based on the movies and cartoons she likes. Haha.
DeleteI do think this is a great book and I hope your niece and nephew will like it down the road!
Beautiful illustrations and a beautiful message! I love this one and I think Mouse is going to grown up to be such a diverse and eclectic reader thanks to her parents. Good job!
ReplyDeleteRita - Luckily she is receptive to my suggestions still. I'm not sure how long that will last. :-)
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